NJ FOOTBALL: St. Joseph-Ramapo and Cherokee-Williamstown in Top 20 showdowns this weekend

Jabari Garvin (right) hopes to be jumping for joy again Saturday after his No. 3 St. Joseph team faces No. 13 Ramapo in Montvale.

The much-anticipated and well-attended Don Bosco Prep-Bergen Catholic showdown is in the rearview mirror (Bosco a 38-18 winner), but that doesn’t mean our attention should move away from Bergen County.
Not with another Top 20 confrontation taking shape in this North Jersey hotbed. On Saturday, No. 13 Ramapo (4-0) makes a short ride to Montvale for a 2:30 p.m. meeting with No. 3 St. Joseph (4-0).
Not to be outdone, South Jersey has kicked up a compelling Top 20 matchup of its own with the 7 p.m. Friday clash between No. 5 Cherokee (3-0) at No. 19 Williamstown (3-0), which makes its debut in the rankings this week.
Williamstown, whose offense humming, will be out to avenge its only loss of 2009, a 30-21 setback to Cherokee in the South Jersey, Group 4 semifinals. Cherokee went on to beat Egg Harbor for the title.
The excitement for the Ramapo-St. Joseph game had been building for weeks, but was almost tarnished by St. Joseph’s near-upset against unranked Paramus last Friday.
The Green Knights had pulled away from a 14-14, first-half deadlock to grab a 28-14 lead early in the fourth quarter. But feisty Paramus pulled to within 28-27, and only didn’t tie the game again because of a blocked PAT by John Sanford. Sanford reemerged as hero some eight minutes later when he blocked a 28-yard field goal attempt by Paramus with 30 seconds to go.
Ramapo may not let the Green Knights off the hook if it manages to stay close enough for a game-deciding play in the final minutes Saturday. The Raiders seem perfectly capable of presenting a sound ground attack Saturday behind Jack Bandazian (eight TDs) and Scott Kuenzle (five), but also striking through the air if necessary with veteran QB Tyler Ward and split end Matt Bunting.
Cherokee, averaging 38.3 points a game, has displayed offensive might all along with versatile senior QB Andy Martin and running backs Mike Zeuli and Nick Follett. But the Chiefs’ surest sign of power is the recent exploits of their ball-swarming defense.
Cherokee blanked Washington, 41-0, last Friday behind the outstanding play of linemen Nick Foster and Tim Swanson, linebacker Kevin Byrne and Zeuli at strong safety. This looked more like the Chiefs defense that posted four shutouts and allowed only 9.7 points per game last season en route to their sectional title.
Those guys will have to dig in to stop a Williamstown ground attack that is operating on supreme confidence this moment. The Braves racked up more than 400 rushing yards from Harry Ulmer, Khalil Faison and Karl Johnson Saturday in a 30-14 win over Moorestown.

3-St. Joseph (Mont.) (4-0)
Last week: 3
A one-point victory over Paramus does not bode well for the Montvale squad, which goes back to Top 20 competition this week. Presley Beauvais rushed for 156 yards, including TD rushes of 88 and 19 yards in a 28-27 victory. Next: Saturday No. 13 vs. Ramapo.

5-Cherokee (3-0)
Last week: 5
Its offense was humming as it got three TDs from Mike Zeuli and one each from three other players in a 41-0 rout of Washington Township. Next: Friday at No. 19 Williamstown.

6-Seton Hall Prep (4-0)
Last week: 6
Quarterback Sean Maguire and split end Steve Silvestri force opponents to prepare for more than just the run in this high-powered offense. They hooked up three times for 120 yards in a 56-21 victory over Bloomfield. Next: Saturday at West Orange.

7-Holy Spirit (4-0)
Last week: 7
It has outscored opponents, 165-13, behind the efficient passing of Joe Callahan and the bruising defensive play of Anthony Sarao and Ethan Gambale. Next: Oct. 15 at Mainland.

10-Sayreville (4-0)
Last week: 10
Sayreville is loaded with offensive weapons. Sophomore WR Isaiah Cureton got into the act with two receiving touchdowns and an 80-yard kickoff return in a 42-21 victory over Edison. Next: Friday at J.P. Stevens.

11-Wayne Hills (4-0)
Last week: 11
Sophomore QB Kevin Olsen had a breakout game against Teaneck when he passed for 209 yards and three touchdowns. Linebacker Russ Piekarsky is a leader on defense. Next: Friday at Paramus.

12-Matawan (4-0)
Last week: 12
Quarterback Jared Allison showed his versatility in a 48-21 victory over Rumson, rushing for 94 yards, throwing for 101 and catching a 48-yard TD pass. Next: Friday at Long Branch.